Recommendations for a first shotgun

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Ericthered

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In the past year I have started trap shooting with my brother for fun, but I do not have a shotgun of my own. I've started looking online at wholesale sports and bass pro shop but I've been having trouble deciding. Any recommendations or input would be greatly appreciated and would be willing to buy something used as well.

Is it worthwhile buying a combo barrel shotgun? I would rather use a rifle for deer but i might not spend the money right away to buy one. I'm buying a shotgun first because I'll get more use out of it.

I have narrowed it down to one of these:
- Remington 870 Express Super Mag
- Remington 887 Nitro Mag
- Mossberg 835 Ulti-Mag

Thank you!
 
Forget the 3-1/2" chambering. It will be a very rare occasion when you'll need to use it, and after than you won't want to use it.

Really, for your first gun, just get whatever turns your crank. PROVIDING that it fits you reasonably well and points where you look. If you are of average size and proportions, most guns should fit you.

Once you've fired a thousand rounds or so, you'll have a better idea about what direction you'd like to go in. And you'll have a better idea of fit, balance, quality, trigger, etc.
 
A mossberg 500 combo would be a great start. Browning bps is another great option. The best advice is to find a gun that feels right and u can shoulder it repetitively the same whether it b a cooey or a Purdy
 
For the price point you're heading for, the 870 is a great value. Quite a time tested/proven firearm. I have one and occasionally use it for trap, but it gets pretty heavy having all that weight out front. You have probably noticed that a lot of guys use Citoris and other over/unders which do a fantastic job, but generally start around $1600. For what it's worth you might want to look into whatever single barrels you can find (non-pump guns). I have a beat up old Cooey that only costs $150 new. Super light, and cheap. Like the previous posters said, if it fits, it'll work. Then look for something better down the road.
FWIW, I'm trying to find a Browning BT-99 for just this purpose.
 
Canadian02 said:
For the price point you're heading for, the 870 is a great value. Quite a time tested/proven firearm. I have one and occasionally use it for trap, but it gets pretty heavy having all that weight out front. You have probably noticed that a lot of guys use Citoris and other over/unders which do a fantastic job, but generally start around $1600. For what it's worth you might want to look into whatever single barrels you can find (non-pump guns). I have a beat up old Cooey that only costs $150 new. Super light, and cheap. Like the previous posters said, if it fits, it'll work. Then look for something better down the road.
FWIW, I'm trying to find a Browning BT-99 for just this purpose.
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Unless you are buying a dedicated single barrel trap gun, do not buy a low cost single shot as your first shotgun, especially if you plan on shooting some trap. You will be more turned off from the experience of shooting something like a Cooey for 50 or more rounds straight then you will be enjoying it.
 
Ill be using it for trap/skeet and I want to get into waterfowl hunting. May also use it for deer until I get a rifle. From what I've been reading heavy loads are good for waterfowl. Is there an advantage shooting 3.5 over 3"?
 
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don't rule out benellie novas or super novas great reliable shotguns. have one use it for everything trap hunting and totally flawless. defiently worth the bit of extra money they cost.
 
I echo the above sentiment... forget the 3 1/2" guns... a 3" will do everything you need in a shorter more compact action... also forget the Mossberg and the 887 (poop)... look at a nice BPS or 870 Wingmaster in pump guns or a Remington 1100 or Browning Silver in autos... there are of course many other fine choices... but you can't go wrong with these. I do have a couple 3 & a half inch 870's but they are strictly turkey guns and back-ups for waterfowl excursions.
 
It really depends on your budget. The 870 Express will be the most economical choice and it is also the one I chose for my first trap/skeet gun. Been very happy ever since. I also heard a lot of people advice against the 887; its more expensive yet not nearly close to the convenience for getting parts or mods compare to a 870.

If you have enough budget, I would suggest looking into a semi-auto for both trap/skeet and hunting. A nice O/U will be perfect for trap/skeet only. I wouldn't really want to take a nice O/U out for hunt.
 
I would agree with others here that recommend saving a few bucks and sticking with 3" chamber. I have a 3.5" chambered shotgun and although its nice to be able to shoot any 12 gauge round I've never found anything that a 3" round can't handle.

As for your first shotgun, I'd recommend the benelli super nova. All round solid gun. Great for Skeet, Target, and Hunting.

Go to your local gun shop, handle a few different shotguns, see what feels right.
 
Take a look at the A300 Outlander from beretta an auto will give you the fast follow up shots for hunting waterfowl and the clay shooting sport like skeet.
 
Ill be using it for trap/skeet and I want to get into waterfowl hunting.
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I for one would not recommend a pump action for someone learning to shoot skeet. Some people do quite well at skeet with pump actions, but it is much easier to learn with a semi auto or an O/U.
 
Look into a weatherby pa-08, 3" chamber, 3.5 is overkill, i hunt ducks, shoot skeet, trap and 5 stand. Any pump will do, just the new remingtons are cheap and not well, ive got a mossburg 500 combo and had it buried in dirt and crap and it never failed so far 2500 rounds through it. 2.75" is most of my go to for hunting, better patterns from it then 3", couple 3' for when im really reaching out far. Semi can be nice, but are more pricy, have to clean more and can jam up with a little dirt while hunting and end your day fast. Pump is the way to go, just find what you can bring up fast into a shooting ready and feels right.
 
It's all boils to budget. 870 is a great starter a supernova I would love to afford one day. My dad has a semi auto Remington 1100 and I can tell you it's smooth less recoil and as fast as you can pull it it will split them out. One thing to consider is less kick on a semi auto so you can shoot longer. I did 50 rounds the other day with a pump and sure felt the last 10 lol
 
I ended up buying a mossberg 500 flex all purpose. I'm thinking of eventually gettinga bps field stalker cause im left handed. Just wanted to get something cheaper to start off with.
 
You do not need a 3 1/2" mag unless your a goose hunter. If your looking for a trap/skeet/bird gun look a the Stoeger Condor, its in your price range too. Also with O/U you dont have to worry about picking up your spent casing on the Trap/Skeet range :).

My top three for you would be

-Stoeger Condor O/U
-Used Rem 1100/11-87
-Used Rem 870 wingmaster

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I'd definitely go with a CZ Canvasback.

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I've got 2,500 rounds through mine now without a single hiccup. There's a guy on shotgun world who has almost 26,000 rounds through his.
For the money you can't go wrong. I paid $682.50 delivered from Wolverine Supplies for mine. It wouldn't be an ideal choice for deer though, I'd rather have a different firearm with an add-on rifled barrel for that. Mossberg makes relatively cheap <$300 rifled barrels for 870s, 1100s, and 500/590s. If you're going to be shooting >85% of your shells at clays, I'd go with the CZ for sure. You can upgrade to the Redhead to get auto-ejectors if you want them.

Alternatively, the new Beretta A300 semi-auto may be a great option for you (I haven't shot it though). A Stoeger M3500 wouldn't be bad either, I shot one extensively last week and didn't mind it.
 
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